The following is a summary of construction and other projects being supervised by the Engineering Department:

Webb County received approval from the Texas Water Development Board for water and sewer capital improvements in the amount of $28,625,227.00.  The Board under its Economically Distressed Areas Program participated in a matching grant of $22,527,227.00 and the County contributed $6,090,800.00 for the project. 

The County has completed the following;

1. Purchasing 1,995 Acre Feet of Water Rights
2. One 1.5 million gallon per day Wastewater Treatment Plant
3. One 200,000 gallon Elevated Tank in El Cenizo
4. A Wastewater Collection with Lift Stations & Force Main for El Cenizo
5. Replacement of 100 per cent of Water Lines and the installation of Fire Hydrants at every 500 feet on said lines in El Cenizo  
6. Replacement of 60 per cent of Water Lines and the installation of Fire Hydrants at every 500 feet on said lines in Rio Bravo

The Construction of the 2.4 million gallon per day Water Treatment Plant is approximately 95 per cent complete.

The construction of International Bridge No. 5 is still one of the highest priorities of Webb County.  The County's proposed location is situated where the Outer Loop is tying in to the Inner Loop and Hwy 83 South.  The site of the proposed bridge is the most economical for Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.  It is in the most ideal location because for the first time in the history of the construction of international bridges, it is the connecting point to Laredo's and Nuevo Laredo's Outer Loop, Inner Loop, Periferico Interior and Periferico Exterior.  For citizens that are concerned about cost, the City's proposed bridge is $45 million higher in cost than the County's.

In the event Webb County's Motion for Rehearing is denied, the County intends to petition the Texas Supreme Court for review of this case and a final determination of the outstanding consent issue.

The Commissioners Court approved the selection of R. W. Harden and Associates to design the specifications of a water well on County School Lands and selected J & B Water Well Inc. to drill a well that would be the beginning of a network of wells that would serve as a Secondary Water Source for Webb County.  The cost of this project is $55,000.00 for engineering fees and $680,000.00.

As a partner with Webb County Heritage Foundation in their mission of the preservation of historical buildings, the County has invested $1,226,097.00 in its Villa Anitgua Phase I & II project for the conservation of the Montemayor Home at 810 Zaragoza Street.  The County has also awarded an architectural contract to study the alternatives of restoring and remodeling the County Annex Building located at 1001 Houston St.

In order to provide adequate space for the County's records for the present and for the future, the Records Management Building was constructed at a cost of $678,089.00.

Approximately 12 miles of County Roads have been paved in 2005 (Espejo Molina, Mangana Hein, Detention Center, Jennings, Del Mar and Botines).

Over $1,000,000.00 has been invested in Right of Way Acquisition for the Colonias on Hwy 59, Hwy 359 and Mines Road in order to obtain roads and make it possible for the colonias to have water and sewer services.

Webb County has entered into a contract with the Corps of Engineers for the engineering and surveying services to plat Colonia La Presa.  The project cost is a $426,000.00 of which $106,500.00 was received from Colonia La Presa as a matching contribution with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court.

Webb County and the City of Laredo have jointly contributed approximately $1,400,000.00 for the preliminary engineering for the Cuatro Vientos Project (an extension of Loop 20 or Bob Bullock Loop from Hwy 359 to Mangana Hein Road).

To provide better services in south Laredo, Webb County has constructed a new facility at a cost of $959,069.00 for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2, Place 1 & 2.  The new facility enables the two Judges to conduct court hearings without affecting each other or the public.

The second floor of the Justice Center was remodeled and moisture sensor devices were installed on the entire building at a cost of $300,000.00.

Community Centers and Parks are being designed and under construction at Rio Bravo, Self Help Center on Hwy 359, Santa Teresita Mission on Hwy 59 and West Penitas.

Community Centers were constructed at Self Help Center on Hwy 359, El Cenizo, Rio Bravo, Bruni and Mirando.

The Life Downs Stage Canopy was reconstructed and a new Administration Building was constructed for LIFE Downs at a cost of approximately $180,000.00.

An 18.6 acre tract was purchased from Richard Haynes for the Juvenile Youth Village at a price of $650.000.00.   The design for the Youth Village was completed in November and the project went out for bids in December.  Proposals for the construction are due in January 2006.

Under the TXDOT Level I Border Colonias Access Program paving and storm drainage improvements were completed for the City of El Cenizo at a cost of $2,101,797.00.  Construction is 90 per cent complete for the City of Rio Bravo at a cost of $3,000,000.00.  Bruni and Mirando are under construction and completion is expected for June 2006, at a cost of $1,096,193.00.

Under TXDOT Level II Border Colonias Access Program, Commissioners Court approved contracts to six engineers for the design of paving and storm drainage improvements for the following colonias; D-5 Acres,  Los Altos, Old Milwaukee, Penitas West, Ranchitos 359, San Carlos I & II and Tanquecitos I & II.